INIHAYAG ni Pangulong Rodrigo Dutertr nitong Sabado sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang patuloy na paglaban ng bansa sa kriminalidad at terorismo sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng bagong military chief Gen. Felimon Santos.

Ito ang naging panawagan ng Pangulo sa ginanap na change of command at retirement ceremony para kay outgoing AFP chief of staff Gen. Noel Clement sa Camp Aguinaldo sa Quezon City.

Sa kanyang talumpati, nagpahayag ng kumpiyansa ang Commander-in-Chief na maipagpapatuloy ng AFP ang pagkamit sa marami pang tagumpay sa pagprotekta sa kalayaan at demokrasya ng bansa ilalim ng pamamahala ni Santos.

Tiwala ang Pangulo, na ang AFP sa ilalim ni Santos, ay patuloy na maipatutupad ang mga programang may layong “ toelevate competence, the probity, and integrity of our uniformed personnel.”

“To our soldiers, I assure you that you will always have my full support and confidence as we build a more stable and peaceful future for our people. Be assured that this administration will always assist the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as we overcome the challenges we face as a nation,” pahayag ni Duterte.

“I trust that you will work in unison with the incoming Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. as you remain steadfast in protecting our country against lawlessness and terrorism,”dagdag pa niya.

Si Santos, ay miyembro ng PMA Class 1986, na nagsilbing commander ng AFP Eastern Mindanao Command bago itinalagang military chief.

Naging sangkot si Santos sa iba’t ibang peace and security programs sa Mindanao.

Hindi naman nakalimutang pasalamatan ni Duterte ang AFP personnel para sa dedikasyon nito sa pagsusulong ng “more peaceful future for all.”

“May this momentous occasion renew your commitment to defend our homeland from lingering and emerging security threats as you uphold the safety of our families and communities,”aniya. “Thank you for your service at mabuhay ang sundalong Pilipino (and live long, Philippine soldiers).”

Habang kinilala rin ng Pangulo ang tagumpay ni Clement bilang AFP chief, na aniya’y maaalala para sa kanyang “principled and irreproachable leadership in fighting insurgency and securing our sovereignty.”

Pinuri rin niya ang dating AFP chief sa pangunguna sa humanitarian assistance and disaster response ng AFP.

“With faithful adherence to the military professional service inspires your troops to continue serving with valor, heroism, and selflessness,” pahayag nito kay Clement.